Lina Pereira, president of JPP, concluded the parliamentary sessions dedicated to the ferry and territorial continuity, arguing that the maritime link between Madeira and the continent should be analyzed as a public service and collective interest issue, not solely based on commercial profitability criteria.
Pereira considered that the presented feasibility study does not demonstrate the link's unviability, but rather its lack of commercial profitability across the six defined scenarios. She argued that the results are conditioned by the assumptions used, particularly the weight given to passengers and the consideration of rolling cargo as a complementary component. The JPP leader stated that the choice is political and the central question should be "how much territorial continuity is worth to the people of Madeira and Porto Santo," along with the financing and operational models to achieve it.
Pereira pointed out several shortcomings in the study, including the use of 2018 cost references and the absence of direct consultation with the international market of shipowners. She also criticized the alleged undervaluation of rolling cargo and the lack of consultation with major distributors to determine potential demand. She advocated for a new analysis that quantifies social and economic benefits, such as reduced logistics and living costs, the possibility of traveling with private vehicles, greater supply resilience, and territorial cohesion gains.
In her closing remarks, Lina Pereira accused the PSD Regional Government of ceasing to consider the ferry a priority, calling this shift "deceiving the population." The JPP assured that it will continue to maintain a critical stance while also presenting alternatives and deepening the analysis on the link's viability.
